Laguna Beach Pirate Tower

Built in 1926 by California Senator William E. Brown as part of his private estate, the tower was originally designed to house a spiral staircase linking his home atop the cliff with the beach below. In the 1940s, the estate’s new owner—retired Navy Captain Harold Kendrick—helped popularize the “pirate” moniker by occasionally dressing as a pirate and hiding coins for local children. The tower’s whimsical, castle-like appearance has made it a beloved local icon and a popular photo spot, though it is currently locked and inaccessible.

What to do there.
Visitors can hike down the public staircase at 2700–2711 Victoria Drive to access Victoria Beach at low tide, where they can view the Pirate Tower up close, explore the tide pools, enjoy scenic ocean views, and capture memorable photos at sunrise or sunset.

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